You can get the iPhone 3GS for $49.00, which I what I recently did. The monthly service plan is actually $20 less than what I was paying on the original iPhone 2G ($40 compared to $60). Upgrades between the 2G and 3G include recording video and texting photos.

What’s the first thing I did when I received my new phone? Started downloading apps!

My Favorite Apps

When I have some down time, I visit Facebook to see what is up with all of my friends. It’s easy to add a photo or a location like I did when I was chowing down at In-N-Out Burger (pre-diet).

Yes, I’m digging being the Mayor of McDonalds. This app allows you to check in to local businesses, become Mayor, and take advantage of special offers. Newbie (first check-in) Specials include $2. off Arby’s Market Fresh sandwich and 20% off at RadioShack. You can opt out of FB/Twitter sharing if you’d like, meaning you don’t have to broadcast your whereabouts.

Hipstamatic really should have a post all to itself. It’s a cool photo filter program that helps you create amazingly fun photos. A few filters come with the app, and additional filters can be purchased.

The top game for me and my entire family would be Angry Birds. All of the versions. Free, upgraded, Seasons, Rio… they are all great. Rio just released an update, and has several updates scheduled. This newest update includes a Beach Volleyball level.

This app notifies you when there’s a sale on airfare. Tell the app which airport you fly out of, and it will send you great deals. Last year we flew to Sacramento for under $40 per person.

Want to know the latest about Arnold & Maria? TMZ is the app for celebrity news. You’ve heard of TMZ. They were the first to report Michael Jackson died, and the first to release photos of Rihanna. They provided pics of Tiger Woods’ smashed SUV. If you can’t pick up an Enquirer, download TMZ.

Hypnotic mind-play. Waiting in the doctor’s office? Play Bejeweled. Hubby watching football? Play Bejeweled. Kids want supervision in the shower? Play Bejeweled.

Kids, yes, I’ve got ’em. Sometimes they need to keep themselves busy like when we’re waiting on food at a restaurant, or waiting for the fireworks to start while camped out across the river from Laughlin. You will need apps for them too.

Kids’ Favorite Apps

Burp, Fart, Relief. Totally disgusting, just what kids like. Many foul burps, farts, sighs and screams from which to choose.

With the addition of the new Charlie character who has tiger’s blood, the pygmies survival rate decreases even more. You are the Pocket God, controlling the fate of the little island pygmies. You can strike them with lightening, have ants attack them, throw them in the volcano, drop them into the ocean and spear them. You can give them fish and coconuts, help them start a fire, show them a double rainbow across the sky. Good or bad, it’s up to you. Err, up to your kids, I mean!

Yes, you’ll want to take the phone away and compete with them on this app too. Jumping from platform to platform, avoiding aliens, grabbing a jet pack, it’s all fun!

Sometimes they just want to be mellow, coloring pictures. This is the app for that. They choose a scene and color it by tapping first a colored pencil and then the area of the screen to fill. Once all the white space is filled, a party horn plays.

Your app store is right on your iPhone, or you can visit the app store on iTunes.